SGER: Starting the Gemini NICI Planet-Finding Campaign

University Of Hawaii, Honolulu

Investigators

Abstract

This award supports the largest and most sensitive direct imaging survey for extrasolar planets conducted to date. The NICI (Near-Infrared Coronagraphic Imager) is the new high contrast adaptive optics instrument for the Gemini-South 8.1-meter telescope, tailored to direct detection of extrasolar planets through dual-channel methane-band imaging. NICI will provide excellent sensitivity to planetary ( > 1 Jupiter Mass) companions around young ( < 1 Million years) stars in the extended solar neighborhood. Specifically, key preparatory activities will be undertaken during the beginning of a significant multi-year imaging search for extrasolar planets. These include optimizing observing and analysis algorithms, conducting the observations on-site for the first 25% of the team's awarded time, and pursuing prompt follow-up of newly identified planetary companions. It is anticipated that these observations may well yield the first unambiguous extrasolar planets found by direct imaging. The research goals of this work will be accomplished in tandem with the training of a postdoc in the rapidly growing fields of exoplanets and science with adaptive optics, as well as hands-on experience with real-time observing on an 8-meter telescope. This work is funded from the Stellar Astronomy and Astrophysics program of the Division of Astronomical Sciences, as a Small Grant for Exploratory Research.